Ann Deml—Outstanding Leadership ScholarshipUniversity of Wisconsin-River Falls, River Falls, WI
Ann Deml is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where she double majored in physics and chemistry. She is currently conducting research on solar cells at the National Renewable Energies Lab in Golden, Colorado. Ann is also a graduate student at the Colorado School of Mines and beginning work on a Ph.D. in experimental condensed matter physics. The region provides lots of great opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, backpacking, skiing, and other outdoor recreation that she is taking full advantage of. Ann is planning to complete her degree and develop a research career in industry.

Jodie Tvedtnes—Outstanding Leadership ScholarshipUtah State University, Logan, UT
I am a senior student at Utah State University (USU) in Logan, Utah, working toward a degree in physics with minors in math and Latin. While attending USU, I have been involved in research focused on Polar Mesospheric Clouds which has included participating in a field research campaign in Fairbanks, Alaska. I have also had the opportunity to present my research at several venues including the CEDAR Conferences in Santa Fe, NM, and Midway, UT, and the Layered Phenomena in the Mesopause Region Workshop in Fairbanks, AK, and I am planning to present at the International Conference of Physics Student (ICPS) in Poland this summer. After graduation in May 2009, I plan to pursue a PhD in Polar Aeronomy. Aside from school and participation in SPS, I am also working to raise my seven year old daughter as a single mother. In my spare time, I enjoy being outdoors, hiking, camping and rock climbing.

Tamela Maciel—Outstanding Leadership ScholarshipUniversity of Oregon, Eugene, OR
Tamela Maciel is currently a physics major and math minor at the University of Oregon in her third year of studies. At UO, Tamela has helped revive the school chapter of the Society of Physics Students, and has held the position of co-president for a year and a half now. As a group they do numerous outreach events, lab tours, guest lecturers, and the like to get physics majors more involved with the department and the community.
In addition, she works in the physics teaching labs on campus, and has loved getting to know the physics faculty and many of her physics peers better over the past two years.

Tamela also volunteers at the Eugene Science Factory planetarium, where she presents some of the weekend shows, in addition to helping out with a few outreach programs. Recently, Tamela presented a talk on black holes at the Eugene Astronomical Society based on the research she completed last summer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. She worked for ten weeks as an intern in the astrophysical division in the summer of 2007, and is currently back at Goddard getting some hands-on experience in the propulsion branch.

In addition to physics and astronomy, Tamela enjoys playing the violin in her campus orchestra, rock climbing, and jogging in her free time. She hopes to pursue her PhD in astrophysics.

Adrian Akerson—Herbert Levy Memorial ScholarshipEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, AZ
Hello, my name is Adrian Akerson, a senior, currently attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ, double majoring in Space Physics with emphasis in advanced propulsion, and Aerospace Engineering with emphasis in astronautics. My plan is to complete my bachelor programs of study possessing the fundamental graduate level skills I need to become a research scientist/engineer. With such skills, I plan to academically specialize in the development of exotic propulsion and energy technologies as a graduate student and complete a Masters in astronautics and a PhD in physics.

Upon completion of my terminal degrees, my occupational plans are to join industry to help in the development of technologies that incorporate recent discoveries in science to create an efficient, multipurpose, high-endurance, low-hazard and reusable interplanetary spacecraft. To this end, I hope to leave industry to rejoin the educational community as a university professor to help excite and prepare future scientists to follow my example. I hope to dedicate my life to studying, inventing, implementing and helping transform the ways we envision and actualize space travel.

Sarah Rozinek—Herbert Levy Memorial ScholarshipSt. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX
I am currently a senior at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX
working on a BioPhysics degree. After graduation, I plan to earn my PhD
by working with light or sound. For the past two summers, I’ve had the
privilege of working on a liquid nitrogen car. This project allowed me
to explore physics in engineering, utilize my math and mechanic’s
skills, and peruse an environmentally friendly alternative fuel. During
the school year, I stay busy with academics and SPS activities. My
favorite SPS outreach event is one in which we present exciting Physics
demonstrations to elementary school children. I love to see the
enthusiasm we evoke.

Teri Sones—Herbert Levy Memorial ScholarshipUniversity of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
My name is Teri Ann Sones and I am a student pursuing concurrent Mathematics and Physics degrees at the University of Wyoming (UW). I am a McNair Scholar conducting research for the Physics Department at UW under Dr. Jinke Tang. I am also a member of the Society of Physics Students chapter at UW as well as the Treasurer and Secretary. As a single mother and active member of the student body, I am honored to be a recipient of the Herbert Levy Memorial Scholarship. I look forward to continuing on to graduate school and someday helping students like myself as SPS has helped me!

Ron Draper—Peggy Dixon Two-Year College ScholarshipGreen River Community College, Auburn, WA
My name is Ron Edward Draper and I am currently a student at Green River Community College. Green River is associated with the University of Washington's WALTA (Washington Large area Time coincidence Array) project that observes muon showers caused by high energy cosmic rays hitting the Earth's atmosphere. I stay involved in WALTA working with Green River's detectors, hardware and data collection software. Last year I was the President of Green River's SPS chapter and a member of ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers). Working with science equipment is fun but what draws my interest to physics is the implications of concepts and mathematical explanations. I used to want to be an explorer, but after I realized that all of the continents have been discovered, I figured there wouldn't be any job openings. So I have decided to pursue the prospects of physics. Other interests of mine include the ways of Christianity, hiking, swimming, spontaneous adventures, music, watching movies, and reading. I will be graduating with my transfer degree in the Spring of 2009 and transferring to a university the following fall. After I finish with my studies I would like to go to Antarctica and possibly work with IceCube. IceCube is located at the South Pole and detects neutrinos by installing photo multiplier tubes at a depth of one to two thousand meters into the ice.

Jeremy May—Future Teacher ScholarshipColorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
I grew up in Durango, Colorado. I love the Rocky Mountains, and nature in general. I enjoy almost all outdoor activities and spend most of my free time climbing, hiking, biking, sledding, etc. As a science teacher, I hope to share my love of nature with my students. I am working in Durango this summer and preparing for a trip to Ecuador with engineers Without Borders (EWB). We will be constructing several potable water systems for a group of villages in the Andes. This will be my third year going to this community with EWB. Upon returning, I will enter my last year at CSU. I'm looking forward to taking Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, and Astrophysics this coming semester as well as being placed in a High School science classroom for an education practicum. I have two very full semesters of classes left before student teaching in the fall of 2009. I hope to students teach at Durango High School with a teacher that I had six years ago. Eventually, I would like to teach Physics and Math at Durango High. However, if that job is not available when I graduate I will teach elsewhere first. At some point in my life, although I don't know how soon, I would like to teach abroad, either through the Peace Corps or another program.

Ben Franta—Leadership ScholarshipCoe College, Cedar Rapids, IA Ben Franta is a senior physics and mathematics major at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He’s been involved with his local chapter of SPS for a number of years and currently acts on his SPS chapter executive board and as the local Sigma Pi Sigma president. Active in research, he’s done work both domestically and abroad in England and Greece. He’s currently at MIT working on the applications of NMR to quantum computing. After graduation, he intends to explore the interplay between physics and archaeology in Greece before going on to a doctoral program in physics. In his free time, Ben enjoys running, involvement in theatre, and reading.

Jonathan Hughes—Leadership ScholarshipVirginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Jonathan Hughes graduated from Virginia Tech in May 2004 with a degree in physics. He is resuming his education there to obtain a second degree in microbiology, which he hopes to expand on in graduate school during the following year. While not studying physics or microbiology, Jonathan enjoys getting outside whenever possible and playing the bass guitar in a garage band.

Therese Jones—Leadership ScholarshipPenn State University, College Station, PA
Therese Jones is an Astronomy and Astrophysics, Physics, and German major at
Penn State University. She serves as her SPS chapter's president. Her
favorite part of SPS is performing outreach demonstrations and activities for
local students, families, and scouting groups, from "magic shows" to
planetarium shows. When she is not running SPS-related activities, she does
research on quasar absorption lines, using them as a probe to study galactic evolution, composition, and cosmology. Therese intends to pursue a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics, continuing her studies of extragalactic astronomy.

Jennifer Thompson—Leadership ScholarshipRhodes College, Memphis, TN
Jennifer Thompson is a graduating senior physics and mathematics double major from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. She has served as the president (2007-2008) and treasurer (2006-2007) of the Rhodes Chapter of SPS. She is a member of the 2008 Rhodes Microgravity Team. They will travel to NASA in July to perform an experiment aboard a modified C-9 aircraft (tactfully nicknamed the Vomit Comit) on electrostatic binary orbits. When she is not huddled over physics or mathematics textbooks, you will most likely find her on the track, trying out new recipes, or shopping. Jennifer will be attending Ohio State University in the fall to pursue a Ph. D. in physics.

Mike Wilson—Leadership ScholarshipJuniata College, Huntingdon, PA Mike Wilson is a senior at Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA pursuing a degree in physics, with a secondary emphasis in mathematics. He has been a guitarist and musician for almost a decade and recently found a great appreciation for jazz music. This summer was spent doing research in musical acoustics at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA. Starting this fall, he will act as president of the Juniata College SPS chapter. Next year he plans to attend graduate school in physics and study acoustics and vibrations.

Christopher E. Flores—Leadership ScholarshipSt. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX
Christopher E. Flores is a senior at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. There he is pursuing Bachelor’s degrees in both Physics (Biophysics Option) and Mathematics as well as minors in Chemistry and Philosophy. His research interests are varied encompassing topics ranging from Biophysics to High Energy Physics. He has previously done research concerning Mitochondrial DNA mutations caused by oxidative stress and their effects on aging as a summer student at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He has also done research at St. Mary's University aimed at describing the mechanism of protein (Substance P) insertion into a lipid membrane by various techniques of spectroscopy. Currently, Christopher is at CERN (The European Center for Nuclear Research) in Geneva, Switzerland. There he is working on the ATLAS experiment as a Research for Undergraduates (REU) student in the University of Michigan’s REU program. Beginning in early September Christopher will be studying in London and will either be continuing to work on ATLAS or working in the area of Neutrino physics at the University College London. In addition to his research interests, Christopher is extremely active on the St. Mary's University campus and surrounding community. He has held offices in the Society of Physics Students and the Environmental Conservation Organization and is an active member of the St. Mary's University Society of Honors Scholars, the St. Mary’s Society of Mathematicians, and Phi Sigma Tau (International Honor Society of Philosophy). Additionally, he has tutored general physics courses at the collegiate level and tutors math to middle school students on Saturday mornings. He is also very much involved in Fiesta of Physics, an outreach program in the St. Mary's University Department of Physics aimed at bringing physics demonstrations to elementary school children. In his free time Christopher enjoys reading and athletics such as running, basketball, and football. Following the successful completion of his undergraduate curriculum in the spring of 2010 he intends to pursue a doctoral degree in Physics.

Dan D’Orazio—Leadership Scholarship Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA
I am the vice president and former president of the Juniata College chapter of the Society of physics students. I plan to graduate from Juniata next spring with a degree in physics and mathematics. A lot of my inspiration for studying physics comes from a childhood fascination with the night sky and encouragement from my father who is not a scientist but shares the same wonder at and curiosity for understanding the universe that has been instilled in me.

Over the past two years I have conducted research in optics at my home institution and at the Laser Teaching Center of Stony Brook University. I’ve enjoyed my work in optics and in nearly every field of physics I’ve encountered, but currently I am pursuing a long held dream of studying the stars. This summer I am working at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, MA conducting theoretical research on the cosmic missing mass problem by using gravitational lensing to search for and quantify the amount of ‘dark matter’ in the universe.

Outside of science, I love to play the guitar, golf, hike, camp, travel and be outdoors. After graduation I plan to attend graduate school most likely in theoretical astrophysics. I am also applying for a Fulbright to conduct research outside of the U.S. and a Marshall scholarship to do graduate work in the UK. It’s all an exciting Journey!

Amy Marquardt—Leadership Scholarship Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA
My name is Amy Marquardt and I am from Mediapolis, Iowa. I am currently a senior physics major at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I have participated in two summers of research at Coe where I used time of flight mass spectrometry to investigate the role of the lead cation in the glass network of lead tellurite glasses and the structural changes in the glass network of europium-doped lead borate glasses. Last summer I did research at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History where I investigated the source of a Native American necklace beads made from an iron meteorite.

At Coe, I am currently the physics club president and a member of Coe’s Sigma Pi Sigma chapter. My favorite physics club event at Coe is the Playground of Science, an outreach event where over 1000 children and parents come to enjoy and learn about science through physics, chemistry, biology and math demonstrations. After graduation, I am planning on attending graduate school in material science, archaeology or some combination of the two fields.

Samantha L. Penland—Leadership Scholarship Francis Marion University, Florence, SC
Samantha Penland is a senior majoring in Health Physics with University Honors at Francis Marion University (FMU) in Florence, South Carolina. With a minor in Chemistry, Samantha plans to graduate in May of 2009. After graduating as the Salutatorian of Laurens District 55 High School with 235 other students, she decided she wanted to spend her life protecting workers and the public from the harmful effects of radiation. Since beginning her degree, Samantha has completed two internships: Characterizing the beams of three irradiators at the Health Physics Instrument Calibration Facility at the Savannah River Site (Department of Energy) and at the Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station in Jenkinsville, South Carolina, where she aided in the software update for the Whole Body Count system. Samantha has also worked at FMU as a physics tutor, a mathematics tutor, an english tutor, a note-taker for students with disabilities, a worker in the Admissions office, and a Managed Care Intern at the Laurens County Healthcare System.

Some of Samantha’s extracurricular activities include leading the Society of Physics and Engineering Students as President, the Honors Student Association, serving as an Experiment Leader and Student Chaperone for the South Carolina Physics Scholars Institute, and physics research under the advisement of Dr. Derek Jokisch. Samantha serves as the Student Vice President for Phi Kappa Phi and the President of Omicron Delta Kappa. Her name has appeared on the President’s List or the Dean’s List since she began college.

She is a U.S. Department of Energy Health Physics Scholar, a Palmetto Fellow, an FMU Academic Scholar, a Roscoe Hall Scholar through the Savannah River Chapter of the Health Physics Society (HPS), and has served as the 2007 FMU Junior Honors Ambassador to De Montfort University in Leicester, England. Samantha has traveled to three National HPS Meetings, where she received travel grants for each. She has presented nationally three times. Her future plans include possibly working for the National Regulatory Commission or a nuclear power facility in the Southeast.

Josiah Walton—Leadership Scholarship University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, Fayetteville, AR
My name is Josiah Walton and I am currently a senior undergraduate
physics and mathematics major at the University of Arkansas. Beginning the
fall semester of my sophomore year, I became secretary for the University of
Arkansas' SPS; in the spring I was promoted to vice president. For the
duration of my junior year, I served as president of our SPS chapter, where
I promoted increased involvement in SPS and expanded our outreach activities
for the public. I helped organize an SPS trip to the APS meeting last April
and I have begun reviving our Sigma Pi Sigma chapter, in order to reward
deserving physics majors this coming spring.

Last summer I participated in the N.S.F.-sponsored REU at Kitt Peak National
Observatory in Tucson, Arizona, studying the star formation properties of
intermediate redshift star forming galaxies. In addition, I have performed
geology research on an active volcano in the Caribbean, along with holding a
summer assistantship at Carnegie Observatories in Pasadena, CA. Currently,
I am the recipient of a U.S. Department of Energy Summer Undergraduate
Laboratory Internship at Fermilab, where I study single top quark production
at the D0 detector. My current interests include high energy astrophysics,
high energy theoretical physics and high energy experimental physics. While
I am not studying, I actively mountain bike and play electric bass guitar.
Eventually, I intend to obtain a Ph.D. in either high energy theoretical
physics or astrophysics.

Jennifer Hendryx—Leadership Scholarship Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX
My name is Jennifer Hendryx, and I grew up in Alpine, TX. This fall, I will be a senior physics major at Angelo State University in San Angelo, T X. I intend to go to graduate school, which means that this summer, in addition to enjoying an REU at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, I am studying for the physics GRE and considering graduate programs. I am the incoming Associate Zone Councilor for Zone 13, and I am on the Executive Council of the ASU SPS chapter; so I will certainly stay busy with SPS duties. In the mean time, I will be working on homework, research, playing oboe in the university wind ensemble, and enjoying my last year as an undergraduate. I will graduate in May and hopefully begin studying plasma, mechanical engineering, or optical diagnostics in the fall on a PhD track.

Keegan Hines—Leadership Scholarship Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA
Keegan is currently a junior physics major at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. He is the founder and president of W&L's chapter of SPS. After a successful first year, Keegan is exited and optimistic about the future of the chapter and plans to implement peer-tutoring programs and outreach to local elementary schools. In past summers Keegan has done research internships involving materials engineering and surface chemistry modification. Lately, he has been extending his interest in physics toward Biophysics and Neuroscience and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Computational Neurobiology. He is also an avid Phil Collins fan.

Simon Murphy—Leadership Scholarship Kettering University, Flint, MI
My name is Simon Murphy, and I am from Barstow,CA. I am currently a senior majoring in Applied Physics and Mechanical Engineering at Kettering University. As a member of SPS, I helped revive our SPS chapter, and I am particularly proud to guide the physics tutoring on campus. This coming year as SPS president, I hope to expand our activities, especially outreach around the Flint area and possibly collaborative efforts with other SPS chapters nearby.

I have been involved with several research activities lately. As a cooperative education student six months out of the year, I am working for Argonne National Laboratory's Chemical Sciences and Engineering division with the ceramic electrochemistry group, which is developing electrodes for solid oxide fuel cells. Back at Kettering's Photonics Laboratory, I am beginning research on fiber optic temperature sensors for use in hyperthermia treatment. After finishing up with the Bachelor's degree, I want to obtain a doctorate in Medical Physics, either focusing on imaging or radiation oncology.

When not studying or working, I enjoy practicing Tang Soo Do, cooking, exploring the outdoors, and volunteering.

Travis Petersen—Leadership Scholarship Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA
I am a senior at Central Washington University majoring in physics and philosophy with a minor in mathematics. I was recently elected President of my school’s chapter of SPS and currently look forward to increasing my involvement in various activities in the community and university through SPS. Throughout my undergraduate career I have been involved in a number of research opportunities including the discovery of new laser lines, theoretical/experimental work with chaotic systems and acoustical studies of wind turbines. When I can pry myself away from my physics work, I usually release stress playing video games or read epistemologically focused philosophical works. As of now, I am aspiring to attend graduate school in the optical sciences with hopes of attaining a Ph.D.

Kudzanayi Munetsi-Mugomba—Leadership ScholarshipRensselaer Polytechnic Institute, St., Troy, NY
I am the youngest child of 7, born in a small rural town of Nyazura in the Makoni district east of Zimbabwe’s capital city Harare. I recently graduated with a degree in Physics with minors in Mathematics, Japanese, and Computer Science. Starting the fall of 2008, I will be pursuing a PhD in Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. I became interested in Physics and Engineering when as a child I almost always found myself constantly dismantling toys and electrical gadgets in an effort of understanding the underlying principles that made these gadgets function. My life-long dream/goal is to make a positive input educationally, politically, and economically across the whole world and ultimately discover the true essence of life, establish true relationships, and to fulfill my purpose in life.

Jack Winkelbauer—Leadership ScholarshipWestern Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
I am a senior undergraduate physics major at Western Michigan University, with a minor in mathematics. I have been the president of WMU Society of Physics Students Chapter and Physics Club since fall of 2007. I am also a member of the honor societies Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. I do research in nuclear physics with Alan Wuosmaa of the WMU Physics Department. Through two summer internships at Argonne National Lab and continued contributions during the academic year, I have worked towards the commissioning of a spectrometer for studying unstable, neutron-rich nuclei.
I am completely fascinated with physics, and love to learn whenever I have the opportunity. I attend every public lecture I can find, and hope to have a career in academia. My favorite thing to do, outside of science, is bowling. After I obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, I am planning to attend graduate school to eventually obtain a PhD in physics.

Caitlin Wasley—Leadership ScholarshipSeattle Pacific University, Seattle WA
Caitlin is a senior at Seattle Pacific University, double majoring in Physics with Intercultural Applications and Theology with a minor in Global and Urban Ministry. Her physics degree program was custom designed to be a combination of courses in physics, applied engineering, and global and cultural studies, in order to prepare her for implementing engineering projects in developing countries that will help people get out of poverty. She spent the last two summers interning with an international relief and development organization, working in Uganda in the summer of 2007, which also inspired her to possibly teach science to children in Africa in the future.

She was vice president of SPU’s chapter of SPS last year and will be the secretary next year. She is in her school’s honors program, a member of Mortar Board, and president of her school’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders. She also enjoys playing 20th century piano pieces, reading Sufi poetry, and pondering the philosophical implications of quantum mechanics.

This summer she is living in Italy, becoming certified to teach English overseas and traveling as much as possible. After graduation, she hopes to live and work in the developing world, with a possible stop for graduate studies along the way at EUREC’s master’s program in renewable energy.

Michael Jokubaitis—Leadership ScholarshipDrew University, Madison, NJ
Michael Jokubaitis is a junior at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. He is pursuing a physics and history major with mathematics minor. Since fall 2007, he has been the secretary of his SPS chapter and the editor of its newsletter, The Dilated Times. As a sophomore, he was inducted into Sigma Pi Sigma and was just elected Associate Zone Councilor for SPS Zone 3. He has conducted research exploring measurement applications of open-cavity lasers and is a member of the Drew University group conducting research in the photodegradation and the second-harmonic generation characteristics of chromophore-based organic polymers for use in next-generation fiber-optic communications. Michael hopes to continue his education through graduate school and to obtain his doctorate in physics. Outside of academics, he spends most of his time performing music. He has studied classical piano for fifteen years, sings in the university chorale, and is a member of Madrigals – a small vocal ensemble that performs Italian, French, German, and English song of the thirteenth through seventeenth centuries.